🚀 go-pugleaf

> An individual can make a patented device for personal use. ...
> Making a public-domain RSA program is probably illegal.  Anyone can make
> one for personal use...

I implore people to get professional advice before making major decisions
based on this.  My understanding is that the patent laws, as opposed to the
copyright laws, do *not* contain any such "fair use" exemption.  It is, of
course, unlikely that RSA will (a) find out about or (b) sue about such use,
but technically they could.

> I think patent
> law otherwise prohibits making a patented device, so even manufacturing
> without a profit or without even knowing of the patent is illegal.

As I understand it (again, consult a professional before doing anything
drastic), whether you make (or intended to make) a profit is irrelevant,
as is whether you knew about the patent.
-- 
				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,decvax,pyramid}!utzoo!henry